Perfect Alignment (Thorne and Dash 3)

“Only if you promise to do it like you’re reading porn to me.”

Riley grinned. “Always.”

He returned seconds later with glasses of iced coffee. Thorne grabbed his before Riley could set it on the table. “I’ve been needing one of these all afternoon.”

“So why didn’t you get one?”

Thorne took a sip before answering. “Too busy.”

“You couldn’t send a minion for one?”

Thorne shook his head. “Too busy to call for a minion.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, it’s been that kind of day.”

“Then you certainly need one of these.” Riley pointed to a mini tart. “Deep-dark cherries steeped in lush, spicy red wine, cooked down until they’re all sticky, and then swirled with cream.”

Thorne’s breath caught. “That is so hot.”

Riley held up the tart. “Taste.” The word on his lips was pure sex.

Thorne took a bite. As he chewed, his eyes rolled back in his head and he groaned. “Amazing. You have to serve these when the bakery opens.”

Riley smiled. “We will. These samples are also trials for new baked goods for the shop.”

“Good. I’d hate for Susan to do this just for us.”

“She wants to. She says it’s better than some silly house stuff you’d just buy yourself.”

“Mmmm.” Thorne had taken another bite. “Much better.”

Thorne polished off the tart, and Riley pointed to the next treat. “These are bourbon-pecan truffles. Susan has made them before, but I’m not sure you’ve gotten to taste them.”

“Why not? They sound fucking amazing.”

“I can’t bring everything home.”

Thorne gave him a mock scowl. “Tell me more.”

“Dark chocolate is melted down, mixed with cream and pecans and quality bourbon. You get smooth, richness, nuttiness, and a kick all on your tongue at once.”

Thorne wasn’t sure anyone should be this hard from their boyfriend talking about food.

Riley handed him a truffle, and he took a bite. It was like tasting pleasure. “Oh my fucking God, that could seduce anyone.”

“That’s about what I thought you’d say.” He pointed to the last item, which appeared to be a cream puff. “I just baked these. They’re simple almond puffs—flaky pastry filled with thick amaretto cream with just a hint of vanilla set off by the smoky flavor of toasted almonds on top.”

Dear God, Riley was going to kill him. Thorne started to reach for one, but Riley laid a hand over his. “Allow me.”

He picked one up and held it to Thorne’s mouth. Thorne held his gaze as he bit into it. Then he closed his eyes, savoring it. It was nearly better than sex.

“You like it?” Riley asked.

Thorne nodded. He wasn’t ready to speak yet. He grabbed the rest from Riley and popped it into his mouth. “Amazing,” he said when he was done.

Riley grinned. “I’m so glad you approve.”

“If these aren’t at our reception, I’m not coming.”

“They’ll be there.”

“Did you say you created this filling?”

Riley nodded.

“Do you have more? I could eat a bowl of it.”

Riley dipped a finger into one of the other cream puffs on the tray and held it out. “How about eating it like this?” He rubbed it on his lips as though coating them with lip balm.

“Fuck.” Thorne leaned in and carefully licked every bit of it off. Then Riley kissed him, tumbling him back onto the couch until Riley was between his legs and his weight rested on Thorne.

“So good,” Thorne murmured against Riley’s lips. The taste of cream and Riley and heat was intoxicating. Thorne cupped the back of Riley’s head and deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue into Riley, teasing the roof of his mouth, while using a hand on his ass to anchor him as he worked his hips, rubbing their still-covered cocks together.

***

Riley groaned as Thorne thrust against him. It was a damn good thing they had an appetizer because they weren’t going to eat dinner for a long time. Riley worked his hips against Thorne, losing himself in need.

But a few seconds later, Thorne pushed at his shoulders. He reluctantly ended the kiss and rose up, bracing himself on his arm. “What’s wrong?”

Thorne shook his head, looking adorably addled. “It’s my turn.”

“Yes, it is,” Riley said, pulling Thorne to him for a kiss.

Thorne pulled back. “No, it’s my turn to get you to make a decision.”

Riley shook his head. “No more wedding planning tonight.” Thorne had been pressuring him to name a honeymoon destination. Anywhere in the world, he said, but Riley felt terrible choosing that too when he’d made so many of the decisions already. The trip was the one thing Thorne really cared about. He should choose a place he wanted to go. He’d tried to make Thorne understand that, but Thorne didn’t get it. He kept insisting that it was up to Riley. But what if he picked somewhere Thorne hated or that he’d been a million times?

You could just ask him about the places you want to go.

I could just fill his mouth with almond cream puffs and make him forget.